Tales From An Uninformed Armchair GM - Unrestricted Free Agents
by Grey Suit on Feb 4, 2010 7:27 AM PST
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PrintToday we're going to look at who the unrestricted free agents are on the current Chargers roster. Since it looks like a CBA will not be in place before the start of next season Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeil, Daren Sproles, Malcolm Floyd and Shawne Merriman will all be restricted Free agents, who we will take a look at in next week's column. To see who on the Chargers roster is an unrestricted free agent and what this uniformed armchair GM thinks they should do with them please click below.
DT Alfonso Boone - The Chargers signed Boone to help plug the 350 lb hole left by Jamaal Williams. Boone played well this season all thing considering and he really helped to solidify the Chargers D-Line, but at the age of 37 34 I really don't see a spot for him on the Chargers roster to start the 2010 season.
Recommendation: No Offer
TE Brandon Manumaleuna - I have always loved Manumaleuna, he is incredibly versatile and does a great job of sneaking out into the flats unnoticed to make key 3rd down catches (which is hard to do for a 300 lb guy). Manumaleuna size and agility allows Norv to move him all over the offence, he can be used as a TE an extra tackle or can be motioned into the back field and be used as a very large FB. You just don't find many 300 lb guys that can do that.
Recommendation: Try to sign him to a three year worth $4.5 mil
C Dennis Norman - Norman was the Jaguars starting C for most of the 2008 season but was let go by the team in early 2009. The Chargers picked up Norman after Hardwick went down against the Raiders but the only time I remember seeing him on the field was when Mruczkowski went down. I don't see a reason for the Chargers to keep three C on their roster so I don't see them offering a contract to Norman.
Recommendation: No Offer
WR Kassim Osgood - As a SDSU alum I would love nothing more than to have Osgood stay in San Diego, but I think we all know it's just not going to happen. Osgood wants a shot at playing WR and he knows he will not get it in San Diego. I wish Kassim the best of luck just please don't sign with the Raiders!
Recommendation: No Offer
DT Ian Scott - Scott was cut by the Chargers coming out of training camp but was quickly re-signed by the Bolts after their D-Linemen started going down like Jay Cutler's QB rating. Like most of the D-Line replacements Scott played ok and did an admirable job of keeping the D from becoming a complete disaster after its best player was put on IR for the season. Unfortunately with all of young talent the Chargers have stock piled on their D-Line I don't see much room for Scott on the 2010 roster. However, I do think the Chargers offer him a contract to play for the league minimum and let him fight for a spot on the roster during the preseason (much like they did last year).
Recommendation: Try to sign for league minimum
TE Kris Wilson - Kris Wilson has quietly been a decent third string TE for the Chargers over the past year and a half. He has made a couple of key catches and has also done a good job contributing on special teams, but I just don't see him wanting to come back with both Gates and hopefully Manumaleuna both on the roster.
Recommendation: No Offer
RT Jon Runyan - The Runyan experiment was what it was... Runyan was never really able to make it onto the field for any meaningful snaps (which was somewhat expected) but I can't see the Chargers starting out the year with a 36 year old RT on their roster. However, I would keep Runyan's phone number on speed dial just in case someone goes down.
Recommendation: No Offer
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Osgood
I think we need to throw a fall back offer into the ring for Osgood. At decent money but at the same role. Just in case he can’t find someone out there who promises him a chance at WR.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Feb 4, 2010 8:33 AM PST reply actions
They should offer
Close to whatever is the best contract given to a special teamer and make it multiyear. There’s a chance that the opportunity to start somewhere else might not be as lucrative and sometimes the little agent birdie whispers in the ear and the player goes for the money. Worth a shot.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Feb 4, 2010 10:25 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I think thats a good idea
But I think there may be some bad blood between him and the FO because he thinks he never even got a chance to compete as a WR.
Kris Wilson
without Kris, we only have two TEs on the roster (Gates and Manu). Do we get someone else via FA or the draft? We let Chandler go over the off-season and the UDFA who was on our practice squad for a while ended up at Miami. We need three TEs on the roster. Where does the third come from?
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Feb 4, 2010 8:34 AM PST reply actions
I disagree on Wilson/Manumaleuna. I’d let Brandon walk (he’s been getting worse each year) and let Wilson take the #2 TE spot. He’s a better receiver and just as versatile (he played FB in the league for a while). Manumaleuna made sense for a running team, but makes less sense on a pass-heavy team.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John Gennaro on Feb 4, 2010 9:19 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
Agreed
I think a young Wilson may be more effective than an aging Manumaleuna. Besides, Gates can block fine, and Wilson can learn. Its the O-line that needs a little improvement. Osgood, I’d love for him to stay if Floyd left, and he got the #4 wr spot. But I want to See Demetrius Byrd on the Field as well. Jackson #1, and #2 is a coin toss between Naanee and Davis…
by Superduperboltman on Feb 4, 2010 9:21 AM PST up reply actions
This would be great.
Wilson may try to find someplace to get a starting job, though.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 4, 2010 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
Ian Scott
I think they should consider signing him to a nice (i.e. more than league minimum) for 2 years. His issues prior to this season were injuries and if he’s past that he’s a really good player. No one penetrated better than Scott an the end of the season. I even saw him do it on multiple occasions against that vaunted Jets line when no one else could.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
by Wonko on Feb 4, 2010 10:27 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
question: so if they sign him.
DT = JWill / OG / Scott?
DE = Martin moved to DE, with Johnson and Boone gone?
so no DT will be drafted? hence, focus of draft not on DT?, but DE?
Gary Potter: Harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness. Energy. Block. Bad. It's like a carousel. You put the quarter in, you get on the horse, it goes up and down, and around. Circular, circle. Feel it. Go with the flow.
Happy Gilmore: Psycho.
Bingham will be back as well
He was in line to be our starting DE last season.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
And back up DT.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
we already have DE
he’s pretending to be a OLB.
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
None of our linebackers could play DE in the 3-4.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
Who are you talking about?
I honestly can’t think of who you’re talking about.
Merriman’s our biggest (if we go by listed weights) OLB at 265lbs and certainly nobody’s calling for him to move to DE. And if he would be too small to play DE, I can’t see how Phillips/English/Tucker/Applewhite/Harris/Holt would do.
Thoughts
I heard that Runyan is going to retire, so its probably not even an option to retain him.
I agree that either Manu or Wilson should stay, but the Bolts should also take this opportunity to bring in a new TE. Retaining only one of the two would open a the third TE spot up for a new face. Lets not forget that Gates is signed only for 1 more year, so it would be good to have a new pass catching tight end as a potential replacement if (God forbid) he should move on.
running into clary again!
hes with that white linebacker from ohio state. help with the name! want to ask for pic
I hate you,
by Mad_Villain on Feb 4, 2010 12:09 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Wilhelm?
Laurenitis?
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
couldn't we use Manu as a fullback in goal line sit's if we kept him?
I only ask cuz he gots the size to make a big hole or even catch the ball in the end zone as well…nevermind I’m high…
Typically
He is on the line in goal line to use his 300 lb body leverage to push away DLs and LBs. Seems like as a fullback he’d be clogging more holes than making them.
I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Ko is necessary
Osgood leaving could leave a hole at WR. Floyd might leave, and if KO is gone, Davis is the 3 WR. I liked what I saw in the last game of the year, but can we count on him for anything? Probably not. Maybe if KO leaves, (which I hope he doesn’t but for his own sake should) they might make a decent run at Joshua Cribbs. THat guy does all the things Sproles does, plus Osgood. I would let Sproles and KO walk for him. He would be PHENOMENAL in this offense. Cribbs, VJ, Gates, Floyd and Nanee on the field at the same time. WOW. Kris WIlson should stay, he won’t start anywhere else. Norman and Runyan are goners.
Osgood leaving WILL leave a hole at WR.
Mark my words, this team will get one less completed pass next season, in garbage time of Week 16 or 17.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 5, 2010 10:18 PM PST up reply actions
My take on the WR situation.
1: Tender VJ for a 1st and 3rd, don’t budge, but let him go if anyone offers it. If not, make sure he understands he’s in a contract year and a multiyear deal is available. Tender Floyd for a 1st; again, don’t budge but let him go for that (or maybe the equivalent). Otherwise as above. Make it clear that nobody knows if both WRs can be re-signed or not, because the rules that would govern it are not even on the drawing board yet.
2: Tell Davis the KR/PR job is his to lose, and he’ll have an opportunity to see the field every game, sometimes even on offense. As a WR, Buster Davis will be an instant upgrade over KO, who was activated solely for his special-teams acumen. Maybe that just means Buster will be perhaps trading a couple butt-splinters for grass-stains (not that NFL players get splinters, but you know what I mean). But I think this offense is going to be a little deadlier for the fact that it’ll be Davis/unnamed RB active instead of Sproles/KO. Maybe not the team as a whole (we don’t know what will happen to the kick-coverage game without #81), but the offense in particular.
3: Be willing to draft BPA WR, but otherwise don’t bother. Get RBs and beef instead. Try to get one guy (probably either a CB or a halfback) to compete with Davis as KR/PR. Maybe draft a TE on day 2.
4: Thank the stars that this WR corps will probably continue be one of the best in the NFL next season. Look around at the other teams in the league, and then before you get too snug, remember that WRs aren’t usually the guys who win you the important games.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 5, 2010 10:40 PM PST up reply actions
Can the Chargers pursue free agents from teams that didn't make the final four?
I’m not sure I understand exactly how this year’s FA rules work for playoff teams. I know we’re only allowed to take FAs to replace guys we lose, but I remember reading some rule about playoff teams being further restricted.
But yeah, if you put Steve Harris in Judas Priest, you’d have the greatest NWOBHM superband of all time.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 5, 2010 10:45 PM PST up reply actions
Im sure Chargers will draft a good RB
They drafted Gartrell Johnson last year but lost him to the Giants because of roster and practice squad rules. Dont need a first round back, Turner was drafted 5th round from small school and everybody loved M Turner, I am just hoping they get a new big back.
Much respect for LT, he will do well somewhere else with a Fullback, O-Line and a head coach who loves to run. He should go to ATL and be the 3rd down back and kill it. He could be a starter but he would be much more effective as a role player.
I would hope the Chargers win if they played LT next season
by BonesBrigade on Feb 9, 2010 10:30 AM PST up reply actions
Much respect for LT, he will do well somewhere else with a Fullback, O-Line and a head coach who loves to run.
That will only be enough if he magically regains the ability to run effectively.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Feb 9, 2010 6:39 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It is rather amazing
How people have trouble accepting the fact that he just can’t run effectively anymore
I don’t know if I’d use the word amazing. It’s hard to accept that LT just isn’t good any more when we can all remember just how incredible he was just a few short years ago.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Feb 10, 2010 5:03 PM PST up reply actions
Kassim Osgood, Kris Wilson
You say you would like to keep these players, but make no offer to them. Why not make a low offer? What’s the worst that can happen?
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